Cyclone Death Toll rises to 21 in Andhra Pradesh

Restoration works are underway on full swing in the cyclone ravaged Andhra Pradesh. The port city of Visakhapatnam, worst hit in the calamity, is limping back to normalcy. The restoration of power, telecommunications and water supply, besides rail and road is going on at war footing effort by the government officials.

Meanwhile, the death toll in Andhra Pradesh due to cyclone Hudhud has risen to 21 with over 1.35 lakh people are still taking shelter in relief camps. The highest 15 deaths were reported from Vishakhapatnam District that bore the brunt of the havoc while five deaths reported from Vizianagaram and one from Srikakulam district.The office of the State Disaster Management Commission told the media persons.

Parkala Prabhakar, advisor (communications) to the state government, told reporters in Hyderabad on Monday evening that 6,638 houses were damaged in three north coastal districts and adjoining East Godavari. He said railway tracks and roads were damaged at 109 places.

While Visakhapatnam and Vizianagaram districts suffered extensive damage, Srikakulam district faces threat of floods due to heavy inflows in the rivers and breach of several tanks.

Chief Secretary IYR Krishna Rao told that all out efforts are being made to restore power by this evening or by tomorrow. However, the BSNL landlines and broadband services have been restored in the cyclone affected areas.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be visiting the cyclone affected areas today afternoon. He will undertake an aerial survey of the most affected Visakhapatnam, Srikakulam and Vizianagaram districts.

Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu, who is camping in Visakhapatnam to oversee relief operations, has undertaken an aerial survey of the city on Monday and reviewed the situation with officials.